And during an interview with talkSPORT, Austin, who's scored once in five appearances to the Saints, explained what it was that attracted him to Ronald Koeman's side.

"You look at Southampton, you think about the training ground; the way the manager is - it’s on the up," Austin told the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast on Wednesday. "That’s why I wanted to join the club, I want to be a part of that journey."

The Saints finished seventh in the Premier League last season and are on course to replicate that this term.

A few quality additions are likely to be required in order to push them on to the next level, though Austin feels keeping the current group together will be of primary importance to Koeman.

"I think he may add to it [his squad]," added Austin. "But if you look at the squad we’ve got a lot of quality - I think three quarters of the squad will go to the Euros in the summer.

"So if we can keep the players there and have a few additions, who knows what can happen. With the academy as well it’s a bright future for Southampton."